Jan 24, 2013

3:42 PM

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Spotlight On: Students Run Philly Style, 2012 GoGirlGo! Grant Winner

Who They Are:Students Run Philly Style is the only program in Philadelphia that offers marathon training to help youth succeed in life. They do this by connecting students with adult mentors who help them accomplish goals beyond what they ever imagined, including the completion of a marathon. Since 2004, Students Run Philly Style has served over 2500 students, half of them girls, from neighborhoods across Philadelphia. In 2012, we awarded Students Run Philly Style with a GoGirlGo! grant to expand their program and reach more girls than ever.

What They Do:Through the leadership of over 200 adult mentors, called Running Leaders, over 50 schools, recreation centers and community leaders will host Students Run Philly Style teams this year.

Where They Do It:In a city where almost 7,000 juvenile arrests were made in Philadelphia last year, Students Run combats soaring youth violence by providing students with a safe after-school activity led by strong adult role-models in the form of our running leaders.

When They Do It:Students train side-by-side with their mentors three days a week from March to November. During that time, they complete eight road races, and engage in leadership and character development. In 2013, Students Run Philly Style mentors will implement our award-winning GoGirlGo! curriculum with their girl running partners.

Why They Do It:The self-esteem, goal-setting and discipline Students Run members learn through running translates into improved performance in the classroom.

For example, Students Run Philly Style participant, Jessica, recently finished her sophomore year at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. Jessica joined Students Run Philly Style in the middle of her freshman year. Her mentor described her at the time as having a hard time adjusting to the academic rigors of high school and needing to “find her footing.” However, by the end of her sophomore year, her grades steadily improved to all A’s, and she completed a full marathon (26.2 miles) with her Students Run Philly Style mentor and team. Her mentor now describes her as an emerging leader who is focused, outgoing and confident in her abilities.

Most impressively, Jessica is spending her summer at Penn State (main campus,) participating in the Summer College Opportunity Program in Education (SCOPE.) SCOPE is a rigorous summer residential program providing academic enrichment and college preparation opportunities. Jessica was one of 10 students from her high school who applied to the program and Jessica was the only applicant from her school to be selected based on leadership, academic and potential. Jessica also interns at Albert Greenfield Elementary School during the school year to gain experience in the classroom- she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.